# NTSB LAX83FA436: Cessna 172N, N734RL, Newport Beach, CA, September 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1983, 02:30 local (09:30 UTC)
- Place: Newport Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.619659, -117.870033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6197&lon=-117.8700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA436
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA436

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

ABOUT 30 MINS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE TWO PLTS STOPPED BY A HANGAR TO SAY HELLO TO AN INDIVIDUAL. THIS PERSON REPORTED THAT THE PLT APPEARED TO BE INTOXICATED; HIS SPEECH WAS SLURRED, HE COULDN'T FOCUS HIS EYES ON THINGS VERY EASILY & HE GIGGLED A LOT. THE PLTS TOOK OFF FROM THE ARPT AT ABOUT 0215. AT ABOUT 0230 A WITNESS REPORTED SHE HEARD AN ACFT ROAR VERY LOW OVER HER RESIDENCE TRAVELING TOWARD THE OCEAN. SHE SAID THE ACFT LIT UP HER BEDROOM. AT 0241 POLICE WERE NOTIFIED OF AN ACFT CRASHING INTO THE OCEAN. BOTH WINGS EXHIBITED SEVERE CHORDWISE ACCORDIONING. THE PIC'S BLOOD ALCOHOLLEVEL WAS 0.07%. THE OTHER PAX/PLT HAD A SPLEEN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.09% & THE TOX SHOWED EVIDENCE OF PHENYTOIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734RL-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 17269054, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269054
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Greg Axton And Don Glascock
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1983, 50 hours before
- Departed: SANTA ANA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 345 total, 49 in this make and model, 280 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 315° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB, 16 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830908047009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830908047009A), Sep 8, 1983: Cessna 172N, Newport Beach, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft was observed in low level flight before crash. Witness stated pilot appeared to be drunk before flight.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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